Contract doctors call for evaluation based on open points system

 

About 3,000 contract doctors, out of 8,000 who applied, secured permanent positions last year. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A scoring system for contract doctors is being proposed for use in evaluating those seeking permanent appointments in government service.

Points will be awarded in five main categories, according to a paper written by Dr Sivabala Selvaratnam and Dr Leonard Goh of the section concerning house officers, medical officers and specialists (Schomos), under the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

They said the criteria in the proposed scheme will show the level of the doctors’ work performance, commitment to continuing professional development, willingness to serve in rural areas, and leadership qualities.

Under the scheme, those who apply for permanent positions will be able to know how they scored, based on the various criteria, and will be more able to accept rejection if they see they had lower scores than those selected.

The proposed selection criteria published in the Schomos Facebook page.

According to Schomos, the proposed scheme is needed to overcome the “marked lack of transparency” last year when about 3,000 contract doctors were made permanent out of the 8,000 who applied.

A doctor who requested anonymity said among those who failed to secure permanent positions were many who had already passed their exams to start specialising, or those who had served in rural areas as part of their “national service”.

The proposal, which was published on the Schomos Facebook page, will see points  awarded for contract doctors who:

• gained more than 100 continuing professional development (CPD) points – 12 points, with a lower score for others;
• served in Sabah and Sarawak for 48 months and above – 6 points, with a lower score for shorter stints;
• passed exams for specialist programmes – 4 points;
• had no extension during housemanship – 4 points; and
• is an office-bearer of an international/national professional body – 6 points, with a lower score for lesser organisations.

There are currently more than 23,000 contract doctors in government service. They were appointed after the government stopped offering permanent positions automatically. An additional 2,000 to 3,000 new graduates join the health and medical services each year.

Early this month, the health ministry announced vacancies for 4,914 permanent posts this year comprising 4,263 medical officers, 335 dental officers and 316 pharmaceutical officers. Submissions for the posts ended on Jan 21.

Only those contract doctors appointed between 2016 and 2019 were eligible to apply. An estimated 8,000 contract doctors are vying for the 4,263 posts available. - FMT